The Dragon had been surrounded in Shiro Kitsuki and the Crane armies made camps near the castle. Hitomimonks became insane and made suicidal charges against the enemy. Nobody knew what was causing the madness, but the Daidoji easily killed the single combatants. [5]

Gempachi was sent deep in the Dragon territory. He met Akodo Bakin and Akodo Shigetoshi, who had been taking care of a bandit problem in the southern Phoenix provinces. The Lion would help bolster the Dragon border. The combined forces ambushed and defeated the enemy deep in the Dragon territory, with the aid of Bakin's second in command, Ikoma Uchito. His presence had been concealed even to the Crane prior to the fighting, to avoid leaking information. [6]

Gempachi fought at the battle at Toshi Ranbo in 1169. His unit had been delayed in leaving the capital and returned at the first signs of the attack by the Unicorn. Crane Clan ChampionDoji Domotai ordered Gempachi and his fifty men to go to the Imperial Palace and aid in its defense. [7]

When Gempachi and his men arrived they were only thirty-seven left, and they joined up with those of Bayushi Norachai. Gempachi and five of his best men entered the palace with Norachai and his men, and discovered the slaughter that had taken place inside. The only survivors were Kakita Matabei and Bayushi Kwanchai. While in the palace, Gempachi heard the sound of fighting outside. Finding a balcony he looked down and witnessed the deaths of his troops that had remained to guard the entrance at the hands of the Unicorn. [8]